Southern California–based Guardian Advisory, a commercial real estate investment firm, has launched Guardian Net Lease Fund I, a retail-focused investment fund vehicle.
The fund, which will be managed by Guardian CRE, is targeting $50 million in equity with the goal of reaching $100 million in buying power.
It will invest principally in single-tenant net-leased (NNN) retail properties throughout the United States, targeting properties already occupied by national credit tenants, including 7-11, CVS, Walgreens, Dollar General and O’Reilly Auto Parts, according to Guardian.
“There is a tremendous competitive advantage to investing in NNN retail properties,” said David Hooston, designated manager of Guardian CRE. “These assets represent consistently stable investments, characterized by long-term in-place leases with national credit tenants allocated between geographic and industry diversification.”
He added, “By launching a niche-focused fund at this point in the market cycle, we are giving accredited investors the opportunity to place capital into a vehicle with a history of long-term stability combined with targeted life-of-fund returns between 8 percent and 10 percent.”
Hooston, a finance executive, will oversee the fund’s strategic vision, financial reporting and investor relations, according to Guardian. In addition, John Halvorson, an expert in net-leased property investments, will oversee the fund’s acquisition and property management strategies. Mike Kron, an industry leader with more than $1 billion in property transactions under his belt, will chair the fund’s specific property investment decisions.